Chapter Text
Rain poured from the skies of Barona, clinking on the windows, resounding down the castle’s corridors. Malik knew where to find Prince Richard on days like these - sitting by a window in the castle’s tallest tower, watching droplets fall on the glass panes.
And as usual, there he was. Huddled by the windowsill, the very figure of melancholy, seemingly oblivious to the world around him. Seemingly was the key word, however, for he immediately stood at the sound of Malik’s footsteps.
The lanky boy had grown tall, his golden hair reaching past his shoulders. Richard looked every bit the fairy tale prince when he bothered to act the part - but at other times, he was a gloomy, reticent young adult.
Even more so on rainy days.
“Captain Malik,” Richard said, voice quiet under the sound of the rain. “What brings you here?”
Malik went down on one knee, bowing deep. “Your Highness,” he murmured, and waited for Richard to tell him to stand. Once the prince did so, Malik continued, “I believe you have heard news of the diplomatic mission.”
Richard’s face darkened. “Yes. I am to travel to Strahta, where I shall meet President Paradine. All arranged by my uncle.”
Rainfall filled the silence.
“Archduke Cedric has appointed me head of your escort guard,” Malik finally said.
“You?” Richard’s eyes widened. He regarded Malik with newfound wariness.
“I was just as surprised, Your Highness. But His Grace has not allowed me to choose which knights to bring. The decision will be his to make.”
Richard’s gaze fell, his face pale. “My father has sanctioned this meeting. I am ordered to go.”
Malik swallowed, wondering how much it was safe to say. “Not all of the guards will be the Archduke’s men,” he risked. “That would be too suspicious.”
Richard looked up at Malik, furrowing his brows in apprehension. “Be watchful of what you speak.”
“The rain is loud. No one can listen.” He took a step forward, dropping his voice to a whisper, “Your Highness, I cannot choose any knights to take with us, but there is something else I can do. As an instructor of the Knight Academy, I can bring a trainee under the excuse of furthering their training.”
Richard’s eyes widened, his lips parting in surprise. He did not reply.
“Your Highness,” Malik continued, choosing his words carefully, “Do you happen to know any of our trainees? Is there anyone you might suggest, anyone you would entrust your safety to?”
Richard pressed his lips together, hesitating. He glanced towards the window, where thick raindrops still fell.
“Your Highness? If you do not have anyone in mind, I can make the decision in your place.”
“No,” Richard blurted, voice unsteady, and had to pause to compose himself. Once more, his gaze wandered to the window. He swallowed, and avoiding Malik’s eyes, finally said, “There is… there is someone.”
Asbel’s practice sword hit the dummy with a dull thump. The impact from the blow coursed his arm, imperceptible, as he flicked his wrists and re-angled his sword. Another thump, louder, his weapon almost knocking the dummy out of its support. Asbel paused, panting, sweat dripping down his chin. Then, he dug his feet in the ground, raising his sword for one final blow.
“Asbel Lhant.”
The dummy flew from its wooden support, spilling hay everywhere and landing on Captain Malik’s feet. Malik glanced down, brushed some hay off his pants, and raised an eyebrow at Asbel.
Asbel’s cheek warmed with embarrassment. “I-I’m very sorry, Captain. I didn’t see you there.”
“Inattention could cost your life in a battle, Asbel. If you focus too hard on what’s right in front of you, you risk losing sight of your surroundings.”
“I understand,” Asbel muttered, straightening himself.
Malik’s expression softened. “Well, I didn’t come here to lecture you. Not today, at least.”
Asbel blinked.
“You are to take part in your first escort mission as a trainee knight.”
“An escort?” Asbel’s eyes widened. “You mean I will guard someone?”
“You, me, and three others. It’s not a duty I would give to any trainee, but you have proven yourself, Asbel. I trust you will make the Knight Academy proud.”
The praise made Asbel’s chest swell. “I will do my best, Captain. Who will we be escorting?”
Malik scratched his beard, looking into the distance. “Well… It’s someone you know.”
The sea breeze rustled Asbel’s hair. By the port, the royal vessel was being loaded with supplies for the trip across the Windor-Strahta ocean. Asbel had arrived early; on the previous night, he had been unable to fall asleep, and when the sun rose he couldn’t stop himself from making his way to the port.
Maybe if he watched every little detail, he could protect Richard.
The cryas ring Richard had given him was heavy, hanging from a chain around his neck. Asbel never parted with it. Every night, he twiddled it around his fingers, wondering how Richard was doing. Yet in those six years he had lived in Barona he never once went to the castle to visit him.
Asbel’s stomach lurched at the thought of meeting Richard again. He hadn’t seen him since… since the catacombs. Since the time when he failed to protect Richard and Sophie.
He often wondered if things could’ve been different, if he could’ve realized Richard’s delay was strange, if he could’ve found Richard in the catacombs before he collapsed, if he could… if he could’ve prevented Sophie’s death. He had been so full of himself, making promises about protecting his friends and not letting any harm befall them. But he failed.
He couldn’t face Richard after that. Not when it was Asbel’s fault that Sophie was dead. Not until he was strong enough to be able to protect Richard.
Was he strong enough now? He was still a trainee. That wasn’t how it was supposed to go - Asbel was meant to become a knight, rise enough to join the royal guard, and then, only then, he could be by Richard’s side again. Only then he would be worthy.
But Malik had been adamant. “You must not leave the prince’s side, no matter what. Stay with him always, and make sure he survives the trip. Trust no one.”
Even Asbel, naïve as he was, knew what it meant. He remembered Richard’s words to him, on that hill in North Barona Road. “Someday, they will come for me as well.”
If only it hadn’t been so soon.
“Here already?”
It was Malik, descending the steps with a large bag on his shoulder. Asbel straightened himself and saluted. “You’re pretty early yourself, Captain.”
“I am head knight of this mission, Asbel. I am supposed to be early.” Despite his firm tone, Malik smiled. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“Not really.”
“This is your first mission as part of an escort guard. It’s normal to be anxious.”
That wasn’t the reason for Asbel’s anxiety, and something about Malik’s tone implied he knew that.
Before long, the rest of the escort guard arrived. Two of them were knights Asbel was not familiar with; the other was Major Victoria.
“Asbel Lhant,” she said, mild surprise in her voice, “I did not expect you to be here.”
“Major Victoria,” Asbel replied, saluting. “Captain Malik has drafted me in this mission as part of my training.”
“I see,” she muttered, expression unreadable, and spoke no further.
There were no trumpets to announce the prince’s arrival. Only the clinking of metal boots, and then, surrounded by a dozen members of the royal guard, he appeared.
Richard.
Asbel forgot to breathe. In his memories, Richard was still a twelve-year-old boy, timid and reserved. He forgot him, too, would grow into an adult.
The crown prince descending the stairs was tall, with long dark cape and long golden hair flowing behind him. He was lean of build and long of limbs, every of his movements graceful and elegant. And his face was beautiful, the very image of a prince from a fairy tale.
He had changed so much, yet Asbel couldn’t picture him looking any different. He still was, unmistakably, Richard.
But Richard’s expression was blank, indecipherable. His eyes scanned the port, slowly, carefully. When his gaze met Asbel’s, Richard’s eyes widened, and he looked away.
Asbel was about to call out Richard’s name in reflex before he stopped himself, feeling like a fool. He was just a trainee knight, and Richard was the crown prince. Whatever friendship they had was lost in the past.
Asbel’s chest tightened. He knew he had missed Richard, but now it all came crashing down on him. He should’ve gone to the castle, should’ve written letters, should’ve done anything to keep in touch. He should’ve asked for Richard’s forgiveness for what happened in the catacombs.
Now, they were just strangers.
Richard’s cabin was spacious and comfortable, but it felt claustrophobic to him.
His heart had begun racing the moment he laid eyes upon Asbel, and it hadn’t slowed down ever since. There was an ache in his chest, a knot in his stomach that refused to unravel. It was the first time he saw Asbel in six years, and yet Asbel wasn’t meeting him by choice.
Richard didn’t blame him. It was, after all, Richard’s own fault that Sophie had been killed. If he had never suggested for them to sneak into the castle through the catacombs, she would still be alive; of course Asbel would resent him, and refuse to see him for six years.
Richard resented himself, too.
Part of him also regretted asking Malik to draft Asbel into this mission. It was true that Richard trusted Asbel more than anyone in the world, that there was no one else he would rather have by his side, but it shamed him that he had used his power to bring Asbel here. He doubted Asbel wanted to be in Richard’s presence.
But for six years Richard had dreamed of the moment he would meet Asbel again, dreamed that Asbel would come to him and forgive him and protect him. As the years passed, he did not let go of that one hope, even when everything else was bleak.
Yet now, the thought of facing Asbel terrified him.
The ship swayed as it left the port, and Richard tried to convince himself that was the reason his stomach was so queasy. He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing, his usual routine to attempt to compose himself.
But few seconds after he started, there was knocking on his door.
Richard held back the urge to sigh. “Who is it?”
“Captain Malik, Your Highness.”
Richard walked carefully to the door, still getting used to the ship’s swaying. It had been so long since his last time on a ship; he hadn’t been allowed to travel since the catacombs incident six years ago. Finally, he made it to the door, and took a moment to unbolt and unlock it.
He opened it to find Malik. And behind him, Asbel.
Richard froze, unable to avoid staring into those bright blue eyes. When he came to himself, he quickly turned around - maybe a bit too quickly - and forced his breath to steady.
“Come in,” he said, only the faintest quiver in his voice.
Richard returned to his chair, trying not to grip the armrests too tightly as he watched Malik and Asbel perform a salute. Asbel was the perfect image of a knight, his manners impeccable, a striking contrast to the impish boy he used to be. But then again, Asbel had always been serious and polite when it came to his dream - Richard remembered how Asbel had thanked Bryce after their spar, as undeserving as Bryce had been.
…No. His mind was drifting away. He had to focus.
“Your Highness,” Malik began, “We have just left Barona Port, and we hope to make a swift trip to Oul Raye, where we will disembark and resume our journey by Turtlez Transport.”
Richard struggled to keep his eyes on Malik.
“As head of your escort guard,” Malik continued, “I will do everything within my power to keep you safe. And, as part of my efforts, I would like to appoint my most skilled trainee, Asbel Lhant, as your personal bodyguard. He is to stay with you at all times, day and night. I believe it would be wise if he were to share your cabin.”
Malik’s words took a long, long moment to sink in. And when they did, they hit him like a hammer.
Sharing his cabin with Asbel? Being with him day and night? This was nothing like what they had discussed! And, from the way Asbel’s eyes were wide, it was the first time he was hearing of this, too.
“Malik,” Richard said, making an effort to keep his voice steady. “You…”
And only then did he realized he had no idea what to say. If it had been anyone else, Richard would refuse straightaway, and tell them to hold guard outside. But… it was Asbel. Richard would be lying if he said he didn’t want to spend every moment of his life with him. Yet how would Asbel himself feel about it, when he had avoided Richard for six years?
“Y-Your Highness.”
It was Asbel’s voice. Richard froze.
“Your Highness,” Asbel repeated, firmer this time. “I promise I will protect you. I promise I will keep you safe. I won’t fail you. Please, let me stay here.”
Asbel’s blue eyes were locked upon Richard, shining with determination. Richard’s breath caught in his throat, and not thinking twice, he nodded.
His heart raced even faster than before.
Asbel could barely focus as he rolled up his mattress and blankets. More than once, the mattress popped free and hit him in the face, but he couldn’t bring himself to mind. All his thoughts were on Richard.
Asbel had been given a second chance. It thrilled and terrified him. On one hand, he could finally protect Richard, the task he had spent the past six years training for. On the other, he still felt unworthy, his failure at the catacombs haunting him.
His mattress sprung again and hit his nose so hard he staggered back.
Grumbling, Asbel forced himself to focus, and this time he managed to tie a rope around his mattress to keep it neatly rolled up. He took it in one arm and his bag in another, and made his way to Richard’s cabin.
Malik had been waiting outside the door. When he saw Asbel, he smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and left.
Heart in his throat, Asbel knocked. He heard the sound of the door being unbolted and unlocked, until it finally opened to reveal Richard. He had the same unreadable expression as before, but this time, his lips curved into a small smile when he saw Asbel.
Seeing it made Asbel feel lighter.
“E-Excuse me, Your Highness,” Asbel muttered, walking inside. He placed his mattress and bag in a corner, and then turned to bow to Richard.
“Asbel…”
Hearing Richard’s voice say his name after so long made Asbel’s heart flutter. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“There’s no need for such formalities,” Richard said, tone soft. “You can call me by name.”
The flutter in Asbel’s heart increased. “But… I’m your knight. I-I mean, I’m just a trainee knight, b-but, um, I’m your bodyguard. So I… I really shouldn’t…”
Richard lifted a finger, gesturing for Asbel to stop. “You may call me ‘Your Highness’ in public, but when it’s just the two of us, that would be tiring, wouldn’t it?” He smiled. “I would prefer if you weren’t so formal. After all, we are…” he trailed off, hesitating. “Please, Asbel, just be yourself.”
A shiver ran down Asbel’s spine. “I… I understand.”
He wondered why he felt so nervous. It wasn’t as if he had never spoken Richard’s name during those six years. In truth, he’d sometimes whisper it to himself at night, holding on to the ring Richard had given him. But for some reason, the idea of saying it now filled his stomach with butterflies.
Asbel took a deep breath, and gathering his courage, he finally said, “…Richard.”
And suddenly Asbel felt incredibly embarrassed, realizing he had spoken Richard’s name out of the blue for absolutely no reason. But Richard… smiled. Not the tiny smile of before, but a wide, radiant grin.
Asbel’s chest swelled with happiness. Maybe, just maybe, things could go back to how they were before.